Thermopine®
Thermally treated timber decking with enhanced stability & durability.
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The ultimate timber decking guide: from installation to maintenance
Timber decking is an easy way to enhance your outdoor living space while blending seamlessly with your garden or home. Whether you’re looking to host summer BBQ’s, create an outdoor play area for children, or enjoy a quiet evening reading a book, our Thermopine® decking is a great choice for versatility and long lasting performance. This guide, by Cladding & Decking Sales Advisor Alecsandra Puflea, will walk you through everything you need to know – from selecting the right timber to installation, maintenance and more.
Choosing the right timber
When selecting timber for your decking, it’s essential to consider both aesthetics and durability. At Russwood, we offer Thermopine® decking, which has been produced from European-grown Scots Pine that has undergone a specialised thermal modification process. The thermal treatment, while preserving the natural beauty of the pine, alters the wood’s cellular structure, enhancing its durability, stability and resistance to environmental factors, making it an ideal choice for outdoor use.
The thermal treatment offers a number of benefits to the timber:
- It offers exceptional durability; Thermopine® is classified as Durability Class 2, which is the same as Oak.
- It enhances the timbers’ resistance to decay, insect and fungi.
- Compared to unmodified pine, Thermopine® can be up to 40-50% more stable. This means decking boards stay flat and are significantly less affected by cupping or crowning when subjected to extremes of wetting and drying.
- The treatment only uses heat, steam and pressure, making it a chemical-free and environmentally friendly option.
- In terms of appearance, Thermopine® has a rich uniform chocolate-brown colour that will quickly weather to a silver grey tone if left uncoated.
Thermopine® decking: profiles and surface finishes
Our Thermopine® decking is available in RW214 and RW215 profiles. These have been specially designed with a groove along the edges tailored for the SenoFix ®FT secret installation system for a refined appearance and enhanced performance.
When it comes to surface finishes, we offer a range of options to suit various aesthetic and functional preferences:
- A smooth finish creates a consistent even texture, with a clean and polished appearance that complements contemporary designs. It is comfortable to walk on, especially barefoot, and the absence of grooves makes the surface easier to clean.
- A wire brushed finish accentuates the grain, and adds character to outdoor rustic designs.
- The GripDeck® boards have a smooth surface finish and feature unique slip-resistant inserts that enhances grip and reduces the risk of slipping, making them ideal for high-traffic areas and wet environments.
Installation process
Whilst it is important to choose the right decking boards, the fixing and substructure play a crucial role in ensuring the stability, longevity and overall performance of the decking.
At Russwood, we offer a number of fixing options that create a solid foundation for your outdoor space, while also improving its appearance and reducing the requirement for maintenance. Another significant advantage of our fixing systems is that they allow boards to be easily replaced, and even reused. This approach further aligns with our sustainability practices.
The two primary fixing methods we recommend are face fixing and secret fixing.
Face fixing system
Face fixing involves attaching the decking boards directly to the underlying joists using screws that are visible on the surface of the decking. When using this method of fixing, we recommend using L-BohrFix® A4 screws. These screws are made from marine-grade A4 stainless steel, which offers an excellent corrosion resistance and durability, making it suitable for areas exposed to moisture and varying weather conditions.
Together with the L-BohrFix® screws , we recommend using the KompeFix® ventilation strips. This is designed to fit between the decking boards and the substructure (joists) to facilitate the air circulation beneath the decking boards, preventing moisture build-up and reducing the risk of mould and rot which can compromise the deck’s structural integrity.
Secret fixing system
A secret fixing system is designed to provide a clean, professional looking finish by concealing the screws used to attach the decking boards. This method of installation not only enhances the visual appeal of the deck but also contributes to its durability and performance. This system also prevents rust stains and reduces the risk of boards splitting, contributing to a longer lasting deck.
SenoFix®FT, our secret fixing system, is compatible with all our Thermopine decking profiles. It is a tough, UV resistant and rust proof fixing, which permits movement (the movement can be caused by the underbuilding joist and framework) and ensures the free flow of air around the boards. This avoids saturation of the timber and enables rapid drying of wetted decking, thus reducing the risk of slipping. The SenoFix® FT clips make decking up to 50% faster to install than conventional fixing methods.
For more information on our fixing systems, please visit the Decking Fixings page on our website.
Maintenace of your timber decking
Proper maintenance is crucial to ensure the longevity and beauty of your timber decking. While prevention is just as important as routine care, a well-thought-out design can help minimise potential issues like mould and staining. One of the most effective ways to prevent mould is to keep the wood from reaching a high moisture content. Good design and installation should ensure adequate ventilation and drainage, reducing the risk of water retention that can lead to these problems.
While Thermopine® decking requires less maintenance compared to untreated wood, basic care is essential. It also does not require any additional treatment after installation, as the thermal process provides inherent protection.
- Routine Cleaning: Your Thermopine® decking should be regularly cleaned to prevent dirt and debris from accumulating. This can be done by using a brush or a leaf blower to remove loose debris. For more thorough cleaning, a brush or a mop can be used with a mild detergent and water. Scrub gently to avoid damaging the wood, then rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove any soap residue.
- Thermopine® has a uniform chocolate-brown colour, which will quickly weather to grey, like all timber products exposed to the elements. If you prefer to maintain the natural warm colour and appearance of weathered timber, the Osmo Wood Reviver Gel is an easy to use and biodegradable gelatinous cleaning product that can refresh your decking. We have a whole range of decking products and fixings available on our online shop.
Investing in timber decking is an excellent way to enhance your outdoor living space. With the right choice of timber, careful planning and regular maintenance, Thermopine® decking will look great for years to come.
We’re happy to help you explore your options, provide samples of Thermopine® if needed, and offer advice in choosing the best option for you. Contact our cladding & decking sales
team or book a visit to our showroom today.